Independent living links

carers uk Carers UK is the voice of carers and the leading campaigning, policy and information organisation for carers.

centre for independent living ni This is an organisation run by disabled people for disabled people which works to promote the principles of independent living and in particular to provide a range of services for people using or considering using Direct Payments.

changing places The Changing Places Consortium is a group of organisations working to support the rights of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities to access their community. The Changing Places Consortium is campaigning for Changing Places toilets to be installed in big public places. The website has an online database of Changing Places toilets.

disability wales The national association of disability groups striving to achieve rights, equality and choice for all disabled people in Wales.

fed centre The Fed Centre for Independent Living promotes independence and dignity for all disabled people. It works to identify gaps when services are being planned and developed and to ensure the needs of disabled people are included.

find me good care Provides expert advice on what to consider when choosing care and support. Includes practical tips, checklists and tools to help you plan care and support for yourself or others. Build up your own care planner online and use the searchable, comparable directory of services to shortlist agencies to visit. Produced by care experts, the Social Care Institute for Excellence.

inclusion scotland Inclusion Scotland (IS) is a consortium of disability organisations, individual disabled people and social partners who work towards eradicating the barriers – physical, economic, cultural and attitudinal – which prevent disabled people being fully included in society.

independent age Provides an information and advice service for older people, their families and carers, focusing on social care, welfare benefits and befriending services. This is integrated with local support, including one-to-one and group befriending schemes.

independent living fund Provides financial support to disabled people to enable them to choose to live in the community rather than in residential care. Now closed to new applicants.

independent living institute The Independent Living Institute (ILI) is a policy development centre specializing in consumer-driven policies for disabled peoples' self-determination, self-respect and dignity.

leonard cheshire disability Helps disabled people to live independently. Also provides independent and supported living, respite care and day services.

the national careline A not for profit company offering information about care and support for older people, their carers and their families.

ruils recruitment handbook RUILS has developed a comprehensive Recruitment Handbook in conjunction with Peninsula (a leading Employment Law service provider) which provides a step by step guide to being a Personal Assistant employer, with a focus on the areas related to being a Direct Payments employer.

skills for care Interactive guide designed to help individual employers support their personal assistant to gain the skills they need for their role.

social care institute for excellence Helps improve the lives of people who use care services by sharing knowledge about what works. It is an independent charity working with adults, families and children's social care and social work services across the UK. It also works closely with related services such as health care and housing.

stroke4carers.org Stroke4carers.org is a website for unpaid stroke carers, families and friends of anyone affected by stroke illness. It provides advice, information and support on a variety of topics from time of diagnosis to months or years later.

united kingdom homecare association United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA) is the national professional association and representative association for organisations who provide care, including nursing care, to people in their own homes. Gives advice on home care in your area.